Carol Dutra-Vernaci made history on December 11, 2012 when she was sworn in as the first woman mayor of Union City. She is in her third term as Union City Mayor.
The mayor granted Tri-City Voice an interview last month. She spoke with enthusiasm and commitment for the people she serves and the progress Union City has made.
When asked, “What do you see as Union City’s greatest strength?” the mayor replied, “In one word, people. And the reason I say people is that besides our residents and those that are willing to participate and be part of the team, as I like to call it, it’s our staff. Our staff has shown a dedication to the city and that I’m very proud of.”
Ms. Dutra-Vernaci brings more than thirty years of business experience to the role of mayor. She has owned and operated her income tax business in Union City since 1986. Carol is a third generation Union City resident. She grew up in Decoto and now lives in Alvarado. She is a Class of 1972 graduate from James Logan High School, and an alumna of California State University Hayward with a degree in Psychology and Taxation education.
The mayor’s city service began in 1988. She served as a member of the original Redevelopment Advisory Committee and Planning commission. In 1997 she was elected to the city council where she served for thirteen years. The mayor continues her participation and leadership with several local nonprofits in the fields of education, health care, youth activities and with the Lions Club of Union City.
The mayor shared her thoughts and advice for young women who are considering a career in politics. “Be involved. Politics is about people, and to really know the people and have people be able to talk to you, they need to know you. And the way they’re going to get to know you is if you’re involved in organizations and also just being out and about…having a friendly attitude.”
The mayor recounted her vision for Union City. “My dedication is and always has been inclusiveness…As we strengthen the inclusiveness, as I have learned, there are folks out there that still may not feel like they’re included. So that’s where the work is and that’s where the vision is. As we come across those residents, to have the programs in place so that they do feel included.” During her term in office, Mayor Dutra-Vernaci has put in place new internal administrative systems to help the people of Union City find the information and resources they need.
The mayor shared some of the work of her administration. “Our city’s top priorities include economic development, housing, and of course, the homelessness situation…to get people out of a homeless situation and into housing.”
The mayor recently added a new staff member to augment economic development and increase revenue. “We’re trying to grow our economic development activities,” said the mayor. “When you have all of that in place, that does help improve the quality of life for residents.”
The mayor spoke highly of her staff. “Our current city manager started out in the city when I was a planning commissioner in the early 90s. The longevity speaks for itself. Our current police chief started as an officer in Union City in the middle 90’s as well. Under their leadership they have built an excellent staff.”
The mayor shared a favored accomplishment from her service to the city. “That revolves around transportation and our Union City Bart station. We have 800 unit housing projects currently underway, we’ve got the opening of the east side of our BART station. Since I have been mayor, we have really been working hard for what we’re now calling Quarry Lakes Parkway to come to fruition as a necessary roadway for the circulation around and within our Station District.
When asked if she saw any emergent opportunities or potential for Union City, the mayor stated, “We’re currently working on Union City expanding its role as an intermodal station. What I’m referring to by that is the Altamont Commuter Express [train]. It will be coming into Union City, connecting people from as far as Chico in the north and Merced in the south. So that’s something that’s exciting, that will be the current endpoint for high-speed rail.”
“Come December, I’ll have spent 36 years in service to the residents of the city. I will certainly end my involvement in Union City as an elected official for the city. But I know that I’m still going to remain involved because I’ve lived here my entire life and want to continue to contribute to whatever capacity that might be,” said The Mayor.
